On Routines

In many ways, I am a creature of habit. There are some restaurants where I consistently order the same thing, for example (as best as I can tell, this was a large part of the confusion behind "do you know you?"). I've also been writing weekly blog posts for something like six years (the actual blog has been around for longer, though). I honestly don't know where the time went, and it blows my mind that that fact is true. Still, there it is. Like I said, a creature of habit.

Now, I realize this fact about myself, so I try to take advantage of it. That's why I build in little mnemonics into my life, to help generate results that I like. I don't want to forget my wallet in the car, so I pat my pockets down each and every time (check that last link if you're confused). Basically, that helps reduce the chances that I might walk away without it.

As it turns out, I'm not the only one. I've heard other people reference their own version of a self pat-down. One person's father even called it his "five point check," since he included his shirt pocket along with his four pockets. Interestingly, that five point check included checking for a comb, even after said father started losing some of his hair. Like I said, habits are powerful things.

Now, with all of that as background, I'd like to focus on a single routine of mine: what happens when I get home on a work day. I usually take off my shoes, put away a coat if I have it on, change out of my work clothes, and then "put my stuff down." That last bit usually means putting my keys, wallet, and jewelry away. I figure there's no need to walk around with all of it on if I'm just puttering around the house. I mean, how much bling do you really need to have on to do dishes or fold laundry?

So, my goal is to basically take all of my stuff off and put it all in its proper place. Note, I said "all of my stuff." That's roughly how I've thought of it for most of my life: there's stuff in my pockets and on my person, and that needs to change. Pretty simple, right?

Well, what happens when I introduce another element into the mix? Specifically, what happens if I introduce an element that doesn't need to be removed? It might look something like this:

There was a Mild Wedding that led to this

I don't take off my wedding ring until I go to bed, so no matter what else I may do with the rest of my routine, I keep that on.

Now, what happens when you introduce an object that's not supposed to be removed to a routine that's all about removing items? Shenanigans, that's what. It throws things off, that's what. Sure, I get that it's going to take some time for things to recalibrate, but in the meantime, I get to laugh at myself a lot.

I have occasionally started to do the dishes hours after I have come home, only to realize that I still had my watch on. Or I've looked in the mirror long after I got home, and realized that I still had my earring on. It doesn't really make things worse for me in any way, but it sure does make me shake my head.

I can't wait until I've adjusted to my new routine.